Why does the doctor do an internal exam when doing a pap smear?
2007-03-12 20:16:14 · 8 answers · asked by hottee 3 in Health ➔ Women's Health
I was just wondering why you have an internal with a pap smear. I have had pap smears before and have never had an internal. I was just wondering what the reason was. It was all above aboard. A nurse from the surgery came in.
2007-03-12 20:30:14 · update #1
The manual internal exam is the only way to evaluate the size and position of the uterus and ovaries. If you are not pregnant, then the uterus should not be enlarged and should lie somewhat centered in the lower abdomen. The ovaries, while they will squeek a bit about being rubbed, should also not feel enlarged or unusually tender. He is also trying to feel for any masses, lumps or bumps which should not be there. It isn't just to make you miserable or hurt you- it is the best and least invasive way to do the exam. The internal exam with the speculum is the only way you can obtain a smear of cervical cells for the actual smear. Those can then be put on a microscope slide and examined to detect any cancerous or precancerous changes, early enough to do something about it.
2007-03-12 20:24:23 · answer #1 · answered by The mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im just trying to think if I have ever had a internal examimnation during a smear. I wouldnt know about this one, did he/she give a reason for it.
In saying that, it is done differently in different countries. I have never had an internal done during a smear, nor has anyone i know. Just the standard scraping of the cervix.
2007-03-13 03:22:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's feeling for irregularities on your ovaries and cervix. Cysts can grow on these and if caught early they can be removed to help prevent pain and possibly cancer. He can also feel the lymph nodes near your pelvic region, which if inflamed can tell him if you have an infection in this area. The actual smear itself is sent to the lab where they examine it for irregular cells such as cancer cells. hope this helps.
2007-03-13 03:24:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason that an internal (pelvic exam) is to check the other organs such as your ovaries and uterus to make sure that they are normally shaped and that there are no masses there.
2007-03-13 06:08:26 · answer #4 · answered by sokokl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To check your cervix and see if you have cerviccal cancer, which we cannot tell if we have or not without this test. Also they check other things to see if things are going as they should.
2007-03-13 03:19:34 · answer #5 · answered by Twinboymom22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to see if you have any abnormalities that he can feel such as tumor maybe bad scaring from menstation hardness etc
2007-03-13 03:19:33 · answer #6 · answered by Brenda A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To check for abnormalities.
2007-03-13 03:18:18 · answer #7 · answered by Debi in LA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to make u feel uncomfortable, and see if your muscles reflect the right way to show that uncomfortableness.
2007-03-13 03:19:02 · answer #8 · answered by waterlily750 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋